Little Girl Who Rejected a Communion Dress Designs Her Own Romper

A little girl named Keelin didn’t want to wear a dress for her communion ceremony, so she designed a romper. (Photo: Niamh Mythen)

Holy Communion dresses, which little girls wear when they start to take communion as part of a Christian religious service, are often long, frilly, and white. But a children’s clothing company is offering a twist: a communion romper.

Ana Mac, a Dublin, Ireland-based clothing label created by designer Ana Mcguire and launched in 2016, offers made-to-order clothing such as bridal and christening gowns. The outfits sell for $300 and up.

“I will make anything for anybody, no limits, no expectations, and anything is possible,” Mcguire tells Yahoo Style. “I’d appreciate it if gender wasn’t an issue, and I want to make customers happy by [celebrating] their individual style. Nothing else matters.”

The crepe-and-lace romper with a scalloped neck and sleeves is called a “Communion Playsuit” and was ordered in April by a mother named Lorraine whose 8-year-old daughter Keelin did not want to wear a dress on her special day. “Being the super cool mom she is, [Lorraine] wanted to allow her daughter to be herself no matter the occasion or the ‘usual’ fashion expectations,” wrote Mcguire on her company Instagram page.

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(Photo: Niamh Mythen)

Mcguire met with the little girl and the two designed the romper together, with Keelin selecting the fabric and design. For her day, Keelin paired the look with a white purse and white sneakers and socks. “Lorraine said that Keelin’s happiness was most important to her,” says Mcguire.

Although communion ceremony dress codes can vary depending on the country, adolescent girls often wear bridal attire, including a veil. However, for the growing number of girls who aren’t fans of frilly dresses, it seems that clothing companies are finally listening.

In March, a 5-year-old girl named Alice Jacob wrote an open letter to the Gap asking the company to make more superhero and sports-themed shirts in place of the “pink and princess” merchandise offered. Her other request: to nix the “boys” and “girls” sections in place of a general “kids” area. President and CEO Jeff Kirwan responded and wrote, “But, you are right, I think we can do a better job offering even more choices that appeal to everyone. I’ve talked with our designers and we’re going to work on even more fun stuff that I think you’ll like.”

And companies like Princess Awesome and Girls Will Be offer girls’ clothing with robots, fire engines, and dinosaur designs, recognizing that girls have a wide range of interests.

“I absolutely admire Lorraine and Mal for allowing their daughter to be individual on such an occasion when you have to wear a dress with fancy detailing or puffy skirts,” Mcguire wrote on Instagram. “That’s totally not Keelin’s style.”